Covid-19 Pandemic: Digital Technology Innovations and Resilience in South African Higher Education Institutions

The centrality of education in socio-economic development has since been recognized and considerable efforts have been made towards safeguarding the objectives of inclusive education. The covid-19 pandemic has disrupted learning and teaching in tertiary institutes which resulted in sudden adoption of online innovations meant to ensure continuity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the face of restrictions and social distancing. The sudden adoption of digital technologies as a desperate stop-gap measure to ensure continuity and revenue inflows against a background of high overheads has been met with challenges. This study explores literature on inroads made towards harnessing digital technologies for teaching and learning in South African HEIs. Specific focus is on the potential role of digital technologies during and in the aftermath of the covid-19 crisis. It is argued herein that resilient HEIs will require an ambidextrous digital technology strategy that optimizes exploitation of existing innovations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of onsite and digital education services